Summer is here, and there are so many free events that it’s hard to capture them all in one list! Our Summer Bucket List has our TOP free and paid activities of the summer, along with our favourite Family Fun Vancouver guides, but here is another fun way to check off the best events of the summer– with an ABC list of FREE events and attractions around Metro Vancouver!
Art Gallery
Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery on the first Friday of every month from 4pm-8pm for FREE entrance! Reserve your spot ahead of time to guarantee your spot.
Burnaby Village Museum
Stroll down the streets of a 1920s community where a village has been created with both heritage & replica buildings. Period costumed townsfolk give demonstrations in the homes, businesses & shops: watch the blacksmith at the forge, listen to the rhythm of the platen press, and help churn butter.
Celebration of Light
Three provinces will take part in Vancouver’s annual Honda Celebration of Light fireworks festival this summer. The popular event regularly attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators to the shores of English Bay. Don’t miss the Yukon, Quebec, and Nova Scotia lighting up the skies for the 2025 festival.
Dumpling Festival
One of Coquitlam’s most popular festivals is back again this year! Roam the festival to check out the different booths and vendors, play games and win prizes, and of course, try some of the delicious dumpling vendors on site! The festival is free, but there is a cost to purchase dumplings.
Eco-Adventures in Metro Vancouver
Did you know that you can explore popular Metro Vancouver parks, learn new information about the local areas and wildlife from educational guides for FREE? Metro Vancouver parks host exciting events throughout the year for families to find out more about nature and the environment around them.
Festivals
Summertime is the perfect season for community gatherings and outdoor festivals, and fortunately, there are plenty in Metro Vancouver between June and August! Whether they are single-day or spread out over a week or weekend, all of the festivals below have something in common: good food, great entertainment, and fun!
Granville Island Kids Market Events
Granville Island Kids Market is the place to be for kids (and young-at-heart adults). In addition to the plentiful stores and activities, the Kids Market hosts free, drop-in events for kids each month. Check back to see what’s happening each month.
Hot Summer Nights
Hot Summer Nights is back in the City of North Vancouver to give families a chance to meet local firefighters! The various stations set up at parks around North Vancouver so kids can get a chance to spray the big fire hose, check out the fire trucks, and ask questions about fire safety. Check out Hot Summer Nights in Maple Ridge.
Indigo Free Activities
Enjoy a Summer of Fun at Indigo! Every Saturday during July between 11:00AM and 1:00PM, kids can register to participate in an hour of storytime and crafts. Each reservation will also earn a $5 Indigo/Chapters/Coles gift card!
Jericho Beach
Spend your day sprawled out on the sand or in the shade at Jericho Beach! With astounding views of West Vancouver and the salty ocean air blowing, you can’t find a more relaxing or enjoyable place to spend time.
Kitsilano Showboat
Multiple times a week from mid-June to mid-August the Showboat offers FREE live entertainment. The Showboat stage has been a landmark in Kitsilano since 1935 and has played host to a variety of acclaimed entertainers and performance artists.
Lynn Canyon
Lynn Canyon Park features a suspension bridge that sways 50 meters above the canyon. Lynn Canyon also offers a selection of walking and hiking trails that connect to other parks in the region, such as Lynn Headwaters, Rice Lake, and Inter River Park. This suspension bridge is FREE to cross!
Michael’s Make Take
The Michaels Make Break features crafty fun for people of all ages. Similar to Kids Club, the craft projects are done on a drop-in basis and most are completely free or require a small fee for supplies.
Night Markets
When the sun goes down, the fun keeps on rolling at great summer night market options around Vancouver. Grab your crew for an evening stroll to taste some new foods, pick up goodies for the week, and listen to some live music as you wind down under the stars.
Outdoor Movies
Life gets even better when the movie is FREE and it is shown outside, under the stars, in a beautiful setting. Thanks to FreshAir Cinema and countless other outdoor movie companies, communities all around Metro Vancouver can enjoy FREE outdoor movies during the 2025 summer.
Park Pop Ups
Going to a local park or one that’s new to you is great, but what makes it even better is when there is FREE drop-in programming available to enhance the experience! Each city is different, but most have volunteers who set up interactive equipment, bring fun toys to play with and lead games.
Queen’s Park Concert Series
Experience warm summer evenings with friends, family and neighbours in scenic Queen’s Park, with the captivating performances of local musicians every Thursday night from 7pm-8pm!
Rocky Point
Rocky Point is one of our favourite parks to visit for a full day of fun! Start the morning playing on the playground before it gets too warm, then enjoy a picnic on the grass and race through the spray park in the afternoon! Don’t forget to grab ice cream at Rocky Point Ice Cream, check out the pier to watch the boats go by, or head to one of the family-friendly breweries.
Summer Sounds
Enjoy the sounds of summer at Central City with “Noontime Notes”, a FREE concert series every Wednesday and Saturday in July, and Summerween- a Halloween-themed event on July 26th!
Tsawassen Sun Festival
The annual Tsawwassen Sun Festival returns for the BC Day long weekend. The beloved pancake breakfast, parade, sports tournaments, and more are perfect for a family day out!
UBC
Explore UBC this summer! Whether you’re a former student, have a teen interested in attending UBC, or just want to spend the day taking in the sights, there are incredible activities and events. Our top spots include: UBC Farm, Greenheart Tree Walk, Japanese Tea Garden, the Rose Garden, and the community splash pad!
Visit the Museum of Surrey
The Museum of Surrey is a vibrant, interactive and ever-changing, free local venue for wonder, dialogue, and fun for the whole family. Explore the exhibits, check out the accessible playground, and join in the fun at the events hosted there.
White Rock Sea Festival
The White Rock Sea Festival and Semiahmoo Days return to the White Rock waterfront for three days of entertainment and family fun. Enjoy live entertainment, an outdoor movie, a Kids Zone, a traditional salmon BBQ, and fireworks.
eXplore the Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Thanks to the Canada Strong Pass, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is FREE this summer! Enjoy daily summer experience tours as you explore this historic site.
Yaletown
Visit Yaletown for free live music, dance lessons, and plenty of fun! Stop by the Roundhouse to check out Engine 374, stroll the streets, and don’t miss Pet-a-Palooza on August 24th!
Zoom around a Pump Track!
Balance, speed, problem-solving, and persistence are all needed when navigating a pump track, but the best thing is that they can be accessed by all levels and abilities because pump tracks allow for flexibility and choice. While they are often continuous tracks, there are plenty of ways to adjust to your level.
Find more great ideas and activities in our Summer Bucket List! Get the inside scoop on the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.
